A30243:1941
Spiritual refining
Spiritual refining: or A treatise of grace and assurance Wherein are handled, the doctrine of assurance. The use of signs in self-examination. How true graces may be distinguished from counterfeit. Several true signs of grace, and many false ones. The nature of grace under divers Scripture notions or titles, as regeneration, the new-creature, the heart of flesh, vocation, sanctification, &c. Many chief questions (occasionally) controverted between the orthodox and the Arminians. As also many cases of conscience. Tending to comfort and confirm saints. Undeceive and convert sinners. Being CXX sermons preached and now published by Anthony Burgess sometime fellow of Emanuel College in Cambridge, and now pastor of the church of Sutton-Coldfield in Warwickshire.Spiritual refining: or A treatise of grace and assurance Wherein are handled, the doctrine of assurance. The use of signs in self-examination. How true graces may be distinguished from counterfeit. Several true signs of grace, and many false ones. The nature of grace under divers Scripture notions or titles, as regeneration, the new-creature, the heart of flesh, vocation, sanctification, &c. Many chief questions (occasionally) controverted between the orthodox and the Arminians. As also many cases of conscience. Tending to comfort and confirm saints. Undeceive and convert sinners. Being CXX sermons preached and now published by Anthony Burgess sometime fellow of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and now pastor of the church of Sutton-Coldfield in Warwickshire.
London: printed by A. Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1652
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A TREATISE OF GRACE and ASSURANCE; Being CXX. SERMONS. › Section 9 › Sermon 75
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly, Turn now, because the day of Grace and salvation offered unto thee, is as uncertain in continuance as thy life. Thus the Apostle, Behold, now is the time acceptable, 1now is the day of Salvation, 2. Cor. 6. 2. therefore receive not the grace of God in vain: and our Saviour, Work while ye have day, for the night is coming, and no man can then work, John 9. 4. If a black night for Ordinances and the Ministry should be coming upon you, the sun and the stars be turned into blood: Oh then, whither wilt thou run? and what wilt thou do? gather the Manna therefore while it falls; come in while the door of Grace stands open: take heed of being like Esau, coming too late for a blessing, like Saul, that cannot have God answer him any way, by Urim, or Thummim, or any other manner: The Prophet Jeremiah might ⟨p. 455⟩well say, Return ye now; for shortly captivity, or the sword will deprive you of all means of grace: How diligent is the husbandman to take the season for sowing, the tradesman his season for buying and selling! but for our souls we are not wise: We say not, Oh my soul, now if ever let this sermon pierce thee, now if ever let this exhortation prevail with thee. Oh unwise men, go and learn of the brutish Creatures, they are so wise as to lay up their store in summer against winter: and thus it ought to be with thee; if there may come a sad time of famine for the Ordinances, and the means of Grace, do thou as Joseph, who laid up provision for that time of scarcity. Now while God calls, do thou say, here, Lord, I am.
Secondly, Turn now, because the day of Grace and salvation offered unto thee, is as uncertain in continuance as thy life. Thus the Apostle, Behold, now is the time acceptable, 1now is the day of Salvation, 2. Cor. 6. 2. therefore receive not the grace of God in vain: and our Saviour, Work while ye have day, for the night is coming, and no man can then work,